Convoy reports

[desirableroasted]

Originally Posted by Tanedin

I've been having trouble intercepting convoys that come in through radio reports. I received a message earlier about a large convoy in BE63 heading West at 8kts. I plotted a course to intercept them some time after 2200. I arrive and dive to 40m to wait for the convoy to arrive at 0000. 2359 comes around and I still have no sign of a convoy. A little while after the convoy square on my map disappears, I get a new message about a convoy in BE66 heading SSW and 8kts.
Is the second convoy actually a second convoy or did the first one just change course on me? I've been trying to follow the guide on the Whiz-wheel included with MaGui.

I am sure you have downloaded one of the many excellent "intercept guides" here on the forum, but I find that Darksun's guide on 7-16-2006 to be excellent and easy to use.

Works for me, unless:

1) the convoy has changed course, which they fairly often do.
2) I interpret "West" too literally. The BdU reports mean "westerly" which can be several degrees port or starboard of True West. The difference can add up surprisingly quickly.
3) You said "8 knots." My reports always say "Slow", "Medium" etc. Again, it's a thing of interpretation, and is imprecise.
4) And they can "un-spawn," though that should not be a problem where you were.

I would say that at least 1 out of 6 or 7 convoys that I plan interceptions for fail to show up. To the extent I can work out why, it is almost certainly 1) or 2) and 3).

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

I am sure you have downloaded one of the many excellent "intercept guides" here on the forum, but I find that Darksun's guide on 7-16-2006 to be excellent and easy to use.

Works for me, unless:

1) the convoy has changed course, which they fairly often do.
2) I interpret "West" too literally. The BdU reports mean "westerly" which can be several degrees port or starboard of True West. The difference can add up surprisingly quickly.
3) You said "8 knots." My reports always say "Slow", "Medium" etc. Again, it's a thing of interpretation, and is imprecise.
4) And they can "un-spawn," though that should not be a problem where you were.

I would say that at least 1 out of 6 or 7 convoys that I plan interceptions for fail to show up. To the extent I can work out why, it is almost certainly 1) or 2) and 3).

This one:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=88961

Yeah, it's a realy nice diagram.

Since Tanedin has access to the 'Range and AOB-finder', here is something I worked out with one of OLCs early versions (I hope this image explains itself):

[EDIT] I guess not, 'intercept angle' is the angle between line to target and intercept-course



Later on I also worked out this method/drawing that is very multifunctional. It allows you to also develop a course for increasing range, or run circles around your target clockwise or anticlockwise (i.o.w. change bearing only), aside from just for intercepting. Or a combination thereof. Very usefull once you have made visual contact and want to move in specific directions to get into position.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...12&postcount=5

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

3) You said "8 knots." My reports always say "Slow", "Medium" etc. Again, it's a thing of interpretation, and is imprecise.

Big convoys are reported with clear speed values, although it might still be a fraction of a knot faster or slower. Vague speed reports like slow/medium are always single units in my experience.